Assembly Resolution No. 1097

BY: M. of A. Buttenschon

HONORING Deputy Chief Joseph Cieslak upon the
occasion of his retirement after 23 years of
distinguished service to the Utica Fire Department

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
significant milestones in the distinguished careers of esteemed
residents of this noble Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Deputy Chief Joseph Cieslak upon the occasion of his retirement after 23
years of distinguished service to the Utica Fire Department on Sunday,
March 15, 2026; and

WHEREAS, The firefighters of New York State are renowned throughout
the Nation; their reputation is synonymous with excellence in the
arduous field of fire protection and prevention; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Cieslak began his professional firefighting career
at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York at the age of 19; he was
appointed to the Bureau of Fire in June of 2002; and

WHEREAS, Initially assigned to Utica Fire Department's Central
Station, Joseph Cieslak later moved to Oneida Square and then Tactical
Unit 1; and

WHEREAS, In 2008, Joseph Cieslak was promoted to the rank of
lieutenant, serving over nine years in the city's busiest firehouse,
Oneida Square; in this position, he was responsible for the teaching and
training some of the strongest firefighters in the Utica Fire
Department; and

WHEREAS, Following years of valiant and commendable service,
Lieutenant Joseph Cieslak was promoted to the rank of Captain in 2018;
he served as Captain of Training for the Fire Academy and assisted in
molding the futures of hundreds of heroic firefighters throughout his
esteemed career; and

WHEREAS, In 2021, this noble firefighter was promoted to the rank of
deputy chief and was assigned to the 4th Platoon before returning to the
2nd Platoon in 2025; and

WHEREAS, For the past 23 years, Deputy Chief Joseph Cieslak rendered
faithful, conscientious, and valuable service to the Utica Fire
Department, earning the admiration, esteem, and affection of his
colleagues; and

WHEREAS, In his capacity as Deputy Chief, Joseph Cieslak served with
loyalty, honor, and distinction, and was governed by a keen sense of
duty and always showed a unique grasp of human problems in his official
acts; and

WHEREAS, It takes a special dedication, a strong desire to help
others, and a tireless sense of community to forsake precious time with
family and friends to respond to the signal that a neighbor is in need;
Deputy Chief Joseph Cieslak is one such firefighter; throughout 23 years
of devoted service, he heroically performed, above and beyond the call
of duty, those responsibilities which define the task of fire
protection; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Deputy Chief Joseph Cieslak upon the occasion of his retirement
after 23 years of distinguished service to the Utica Fire Department;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Deputy Chief Joseph Cieslak.